Life in progress

…on this difficult day

It’s been a rough day, both emotionally and financially. I’m having a hard time concentrating; I wonder if writing it out will help.

I was sitting down to breakfast with my best friend, John, when Winston came in from playing in the back yard, huffing like he was choking on something. He ran around a little and then he tried to lay down but every time he did, he whined like it hurt. After watching this go on for a few minutes I decided to take him to the vet. They checked him out as soon as we arrived. Since his gums were pink and he didn’t seem to be in any immediate danger, they left us waiting for about twenty minutes. By the time the vet came to see him he was filling up with air – his stomach was bloated and getting worse by the minute. They tried to vent his tummy with a nasogastric tube but nothing came out. X-rays showed that his stomach was twisted. They’d have to operate.

So we left him there and a couple of hours later they called with good news; they got the air out while he was anesthetized and thought maybe he didn’t need surgery after all. If all went well, I was to pick him up at 4:30. At 4:25 the vet called. He needed surgery after all. The gas had come back.

Almost three painstaking hours later the vet called me. He’d come out of surgery okay and the repair was done, but they still don’t know why he filled up with gas. Anyway, there are no foreign objects in there and all his inner pathways are now clear. The vet said that they’d keep him overnight but of course there’s no one there to watch him, to see if he fills up again. So the vet is going to take him home with her. Wow, right? Probably close to $2,500 worth of wow. All for a free puppy.

Oh, and I lost one of my silver rings today.

They say bad things come in threes. Hopefully losing my “f”‘s will count for the third.

Poor puppy. Bloat is so unusual in young dogs. Our Riggsie died of bloat, but he was too old for the surgery. Had he only been only 13 weeks old, I would have opted for the surgery, too – a dog that young should be saved. In the long run, you won’t regret the expenditure.

Seeing this late, because I was sucked into my story world, but sending along many many wishes for a healthy Winston and a healthy budget. And all the f’s anyone could need at a time that seems to scream for them.

I couldn’t possibly say. I do know Karla managed to cut her foot, fall off a wall on her head and rip her dew claw off in her first eighteen months.
Just the anesthetic (the costly bit) for one operation would have been £145, so the policy paid for itself many times over.

Sending lots of positive love and good thoughts. Praying that Winston will be okay and soon, bleed him. I am sure the F’s are the third thing.
I know vet bills are astronomical, have you got pet insurance. Thinking of you all. xxxx

I didn’t get pet insurance – I’ve never had a pet with a bill like this before, so I had no idea. Might be worth looking into though.
Thanks for the positive thoughts, my dear. And so happy about the fs! 😛 Winston is doing better this morning. 🙂

Oh, I am sending you lots of positive thoughts and hugs! I’ve been where you are and it hurts but you do what you have to do. Winston is lucky to have you caring for him. And what a great name for a pup 🙂

The vet has no idea what caused it. Apparently no one does, but it’s fairly common. It’s called GVD (I did some research) if you’d like to get more details about it. He’s doing better this morning. 🙂 Thanks for your concern, Lucie. I’ll let you know what happens.

Ah, Winston is adorable. He is lucky to have someone who cares enough to follow your gut and head directly to the vet AND shell out the bucks on surgery. You absolutely saved his life. Feel good about that. I hope you will receive excellent news in the morning, that Winston can come home. Hugs to you.

I am sorry this has happened. I know how much pressure I felt when my guide dog was sick and the vet wanted to make her comfrtable. Of course I wanted that too, but the cost of vet bills is a stress all its own. I hope he heals well.

Oh my goodness! I hope that’s the last of your trials for many, many days! May your next bad thing be your day getting ruined by having to go all the way to the bank to deposit a large check! lol
Best wishes to you, always! ❤

It can be caused by anything and nothing. Some think it can be related to exercise after eating…..wolves are predators who run to earn their food, and sleep after….so the theory is that domesticated dogs aren’t built for the other way around. Good luck, friend.

Thank you. 🙂 That makes sense. Though I don’t think he did a lot of running yesterday morning, I can’t be sure since I wasn’t watching him outside.
Anyway, he had a good night and is doing better this morning. I’ll write a post later when I know more.